Shock responsive switch and valve control



NWO 229 E9@ H. E. mmm

SHOCK RESPONSIVE SWITCH AND VALVE CONTROL Filed March 5l, 1947 mmxmxx x.

Patented Nov. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOCK RESPONSIVE SWITCH AND VALVE CONTROL Henry B. Printz, Baltimore, Md. Application March 31, 1947, Serial No. 738,409

6 Claims. l

This invention refers to safety devices and more particularly to mechanical and electrical devices usable for the automatic shutting off of the current or ignition and fuel on a motor vehicle in an emergency.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved disconnector for fuel and ignition for vehicles using internal combustion motors that will avoid one or more of the dis.- advantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved disconnector unit for fuel or ignition for a motor vehicle that will automatically operate when the vehicle is given a sudden severe shock, such as would arise in a collision with the ground or another vehicle, or object, on the ground, in the air, or in the water, and thereby reduce the hazard of explosion or fire.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved disconnector unit for fuel or ignition for motor vehicles travelling on the ground, or in the air or Water, that will operate readily in an emergency Without breaking the device and may be operably replaceable or reset in a very eiective and facile manner.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved disconnector unit for the ignition of a motor vehicle that Will operate in all directions due to the emergency, and whose structure will be relatively simple, compact and inexpensive.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

For a clearer understanding of the invention and its objects reference is made to the drawings appended and the description that follows, wherein a particular form of the invention is used as an illustration and to indicate the principles thereof, while the scope of the invention is emphasized in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of a safety device embodying this invention,

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure 1, with the cover removed,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3 3 of Fig. 2,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line d--Ll of Fig. 2, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional View similar to Fig. 3, with the top in position.

Similar reference numerals pertain to the same parts throughout the drawings.

Referring to the construction shown in the drawings, a disconnector unit consists of 4a housmiddle of the housing Ill.

ing I0 having four walls, Il, a bottom I2 and a door I3 to permit access thereto. Centrally ar ranged on two opposite Walls are two holders Ifl and I5 respectively terminated at their adjacent end portions with contactor saddles I6 and il. These saddles are symmetrical to one another with their inner conducting facing surfaces I3 and I 9 respectively, spherically contoured to hold a metal ball 2i? in between them and close an electrical circuit therethrough. The conducting elements or shells I and I9 are each set in insulating saddles forming the exterior of the shells and attached to conducting stems 2| and 9 respectively. The stem 2I is attached to the insulating saddle which is rigidly fastened to its holder I4, in a horizontal position across the housing interior. The stem 9 is fastened to the element I9 and its saddle holding the latter. A stem 22 is of hollow tubing and reciprocates on another tubing 23 which forms the rigid structure of the holder I5, and is adjustable in and out of the housing I0 through a hole 25 in the wall II, by means of nuts 24 screwing on its periphery and tightening it to the wall II, in different positions as shown. The stem 22 is attached to and reciprocates a solid plunger 2S operating in the tubing 23 and moves with it. On the end portion of the plunger 26, exterior to the housing, the plunger is connected with a link 21 suitably attached to a fuel valve 28 on a feed pipe 29 and controlling the flow of fuel to the vehicle which the unit is assembled on. The stem 22 is kept resiliently tensioned by a coil spring 30 which tends to press it towards the A limit collar le on the plunger 26 prevents the conducting element I9 from going into the housing too far and contacting the element I 8, when it strikes the wall of the tubing 23. The metal ball 2&3 ordinarily keeps the elements i8 and I9 electrically coupled, when it is pressed between them. Should it be removed from between the elements, the separation between the latter would cause them to be electrically disconnected. This ball 2d has a pin 32 extended from it on the bottom of which is another ball 33 that is relatively heavy, but not abnormally large. The pin 32 that holds it is preferably adjustable into the ball 2S, and is placed so as not to interfere with the operation of the ball 2l) in any way. The saddles are bevelled to permit an easy insertion of the ball 2Q into them, so as to be held clamped between them. The ball 26 is attached by two loose very flexible chains 35 and 3S to opposite sides. One chain 35 is attached to a bracket 3'I attached to the wall of the housing at a slightly higher level than that of the center of saddles and holders ld and i5. The other chain 36 is on a level above the saddles and holders I4 and I5, and is fastened to the end portion of a shank 38 resiliently held by a spring 39 in the wall opposite that to which the chain 35 is connected. A handle 45 serves to facilitate the pulling of the shank and for limiting its movement into the housing under the tension of the spring 39. When the ball 2li is out of the saddles it is supported by the chains 35 and 36 below them. It can be pulled upwards into the saddles by pulling on the handle 45. This pulls on its chain 36 and with the resistive guiding action of the chain 35 brings it into and aligned with the space between the saddles and enables it to be set in between them.

The operation of the unit is as follows: Assuming it is used in an aeroplane, Should the aeroplane take a nose-dive and strike the earth, the

inertia of the balls '23 and 33 will induce themto stress against the sides of the saddles f the holders and pass out between them by reason of the sudden stoppage of the plane. This will disconnect the circuit and the ignition will be turned olf. At the same time, the movement of the plunger when the ball allows it to press lnwardly, moves the link 2l and throws the valve 28 thereby shutting off the fuel line. t matters not which direction the aeroplane hits the ground, the balls and 33 willmove away from the saddles. In some cases the direction will be such that the ball 33 will revolve about the ball 2@ as a center and bring the pin against the edge of the saddle. the ball 33 and the saddle edge as a i'ulclum will force the ball 20 out and allow it to drop to the point below the conducting elements lll and i9 where it is suspended on the chains. rEhe resistance induced by the saddles and spring is sufncient to withstand the c-rdinary movement of the aeroplane, including rolls, etc., but not sufficient to withstand the effect of a collision. In such a case as` collision, it is very important that the ignition and fuel be disconnected to reduce the danger of lire or explosion which would occur otherwise. The replacement of the ball 29 is between the saddles has already been explained. The use of the ball 2l] to open and close the circuit avoids the use of fuses and other devices that would be so damaged after each use that they would have to be removed and rep-laced by new ones. rfhis invention permits the use and reuse of the devices an indefinite number of occasions.

It is understood in this specification that the term housing is comprehensive enough to include any suitable framework for the support of the various parts of the structure. Also that the chains, may be in the form of cables or other flexible attachment to the ball 2li or weight as it may be termed. The force sufficient to detach the weight from the holder or its saddle is dependent on the Velocity of the weight and has to be above a predetermined value in order to make it great enough to be pulled through the inertia from the saddle. Or the total weight of the balls 2l] and 33 must be sufficient for the purpose, where the two are used in the unit. Electrical terminals and 5| are connected to the electrical source on the outside. A feeder 52 is connected to terminal 5l) and supported on a holder 53 then connects with conducting stem 2|. A feeder 54 connects with terminal 5l, and is supported on a holder 55 then connects with conducting stem 9. Cables 5Gr connect a shunt switch The leverage of the pin exerted by 51 across terminals 5U and 5l when it is desired to by-pass the ball connector 20.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the speciflcations, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form or in any other way otherwise than limited by the scope thereof, as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and come within the sco-psx of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

l. A disconnector unit of the class described comprising in combination, a housing, a plurality of holders supported in the housing having concaved surfaces, a ball supportable between said holders, 0f such size and weight as to be forced out of said holders by inertia when given an abnormal shock, for disconnecting a circuit passing through the holders and ball, means for suspending the ball when so forced out so as to be available for reuse in the holders, means for increasing the inertia effect of the bali attached thereto and bevelled insulating coverings for said holders to prevent the electrical completion of the circuit during said disconnection yet arranged to facilitate the replacement of the ball in the holders for recompletion of the circuit therethrough.

2. A disconnector unit of the class described comprising in combination, a housing, a plurality of holders supported'in the housing having concaved surfaces, a ball supportable between said holders between said surfaces in electrical contact therewith, said `ball being of such size and weight as to be forced out of said holders by inertia when given an abnormal shock, for disconnecting a circuit passing through the holders and ball, means for suspending the ball when so forced out so as to be available for reuse in the holders, means for increasing the inertia effect of the ball attached thereto, means connecting wil ."1 the holders for controlling the operation of a y fuel valve and an insulating covering over` said holders excepting said surfaces and formed so as to facilitate the replacement of the ball by slanting its contour to the surfaces; whereby the ball will be converged thereto to space the surfaces further so they will open up to allow said surfaces to admit the ball therein and encompass it securely.

3. A disconnector unit of the class described mountable in a vehicle comprising in combination, a framework, a weight, a holder mounted on said framework for resiliently and conductively supporting said weight but detachable therefrom by the action of inertia when the vehicle is travelling above apredetermined rate of movement and is brought to a sudden stop, said weight being of conducting material adapted` to open circuit when detached from said holder, means co; nected with said holder for mechanically operating a valve mechanism in synchronism with the opening of the circuit, means operable in said framework for replacing said weight in the helder, and having resilient means for returning the last mentionedmeans to its normal position after the replacement whereby it will be inactively attached thereto until operated again and an insulating covering on the holder for preventing elf-.c trical short circuiting of the circuit and cf the holder to parts other than said weight during it.; placement therein.

4. A disconnector unit ofv the class described mountable in a vehicle comprising in combination, a framework, a weight, a holder mounted on said framework for resiliently and conductively supporting said weight but detachable therefrom by the action of inertia when the vehicle is travelling above a predetermined rate of movement and is brought to a sudden stop, said weight being of conducting material adapted to open a circuit when detached from said holder, means connected with said holder for mechanically operating a valve mechanism in synchronism with the opening of the circuit, and means operable in said framework for replacing said weight in the holder, having resilient means for returning the last mentioned means to its normal position after the replacement whereby it will be inactively attached thereto until operated again, said last mentioned resilient means including a coil spring, a stem passing through the framework and tensioned by said spring and flexible cables attached to predetermined portions of the weight to move and guide same to said holder for placement therein and an insulating saddle for the holder to facilitate the holding of the weight and its placement and discharge therein and to prevent electrical contact therewith during the free movement of the weight when detached from the holder.

5. A disconnector unit of the class described mountable in a vehicle comprising in combination, a framework, a weight, a holder mounted on said framework for resiliently and conductively supporting said weight but detachable therefrom by the action of inertia when the vehicle is travelling above a predetermined rate of movement and is brought to a sudden stop, said weight being of conducting material adapted to open a circuit when detached from said holder, means connected with said holder for mechanically operating a valve mechanism in synchronism with the opening or closing of the circuit, means operable in said framework for replacing said weight in the holder, having resilient means for returning the last mentioned means to its normal position after the replacement whereby it will be inactively attached thereto until operated again, said last mentioned resilient means including a coil spring, a stem passing through the framework and tensioned by said spring and flexible cables attached to predetermined portions of the weight to move and guide same to said holder for placement therein, the location of the stem and cables being in planes different from that of the weight and its position in the holder to facilitate its manipulation for said placement and an insulating saddle for the holder to facilitate the holding of the weight and its placement and discharge therein and to prevent electrical contact therewith during the free movement of the weight when detached from the holder.

6. A disconnector unit of the class described mountable in a vehicle comprising in combination, a framework, a weight, a holder mounted on said framework for resiliently and conductively Supporting said weight but detachable therefrom by the action of inertia when the vehicle is travelling above a predetermined rate of movement and is brought to a sudden stop, said weight being of conducting material adapted to open a circuit when detached from said holder, means connected with said holder for mechanically operating a valve mechanism in synchronism with the opening or closing of the circuit, means operable in said framework for replacing said weight in the holder, having resilient means for returning the last mentioned means to its normal position after the replacement whereby it will be inactively attached thereto until operated again, said last mentioned resilient means including a coil spring, a stem passing through the framework and tensioned by said spring and flexible cables attached to predetermined portions of the weight to move and guide same to said holder for placement therein, the location of the stem and cables being in planes different from that of the weight and its position in the holder to facilitate its manipulation for said placement, and another weight adjustably connected to the first mentioned weight for facilitating the inertia eect to cause the detachment of the first weight from its holder and an insulating saddle for the holder to facilitate the holding of the weight and its placement and discharge therein and to prevent electrical contact therewith during the free movement of the Weight when detached from the holder.

HENRY B. PRIN TZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 630,292 MacKenzie Aug. 1, 1899 2,056,494 Tucker, Jr., et al. Oct. 6, 1936 2,223,097 Ehret Nov. 26, 1940 

